Topic
Our ancestors understood it, because they had studied it, with all the earnestness of persecuted men, who had to contend with sword and pen. We hold their correct theory; but, it is to be feared, only by prescription and…
What I have tried to demonstrate is that the principle of unbelief — the sovereignty of Reason and the sovereignty of the People — while it proclaims Liberty, must end in either radicalism or despotism: in the disintegra…
Between the freedom of the Christian man, on behalf of which Luther entered the lists, and the liberty, equality, fraternity, which the Revolution inscribed on its banner, the difference is fundamental. Luther and Voltai…
The Bible, to the Christian is not a burdensome law, but the very Magna Charta of Christian liberty.
It is further to be considered, that the general practice of religion and virtue is of great importance to their happiness… And God having in the constitution of nature made religion and virtue conducive, and even necess…
They must be such as fear God. The fear of God, in the language of scripture, does not intend a slavish, superstitious dread, as of an almighty, arbitrary and cruel Being; but that just reverence and awe of him, which na…
The business of rulers in general. And this is, to promote and secure the happiness of the whole community. For this end only they are invested with power, and only for this end it ought to be employed. The apostle tells…
The magistrate is properly the trustee of the people: He can have no just power but what he receives from them. To them he ought to be accountable for the use he makes of this power. But if a man may be invested with the…
No man is born a magistrate, or with a right to rule over his brethren. If this were the case, there must be some natural mark by which it might be known to whom this right belongs, or it could answer no end: But no man…
To conclude: This whole assembly will bear in mind, that there is another and more valuable kind of liberty, than that to which the foregoing discourse more immediately relates… a liberty, which consists in being free fr…
Once more, from a regard to religion men are obliged to defend their liberty against encroachments, though the attack should not immediately affect religion. Slavery exposes to many temptations to vice, and by debasing a…
But further; a regard to the happiness of mankind in general, makes it a duty to resist great injuries. Yielding to the unjust demands of bad men, not only lessens our power of doing good, but encourages them to repeat t…
Heaven has made us their guardians, and entrusted to our care their liberty, honour, and happiness: For when they come upon the stage, they will be deeply affected by the transactions of their fathers, especially by thei…
Once more, it is necessary for a people who would preserve their liberty, to maintain the general practice of religion and virtue. This will tend to make them courageous: The truest fortitude is ever to be found where th…
Indeed without any enemy from abroad, the general prevalence of a licentious spirit may as effectively destroy the liberty of a people, as the most despotic government, for civil liberty is something as really different…
They should endeavor to be united and at peace among themselves. The strength of a society, as well as its honour and happiness, depends much upon its union. Our Saviour's maxim is founded in reason, and has been confirm…
War, though a great evil, is ever preferable to such concessions, as are likely to be fatal to public liberty. And when such concessions, are required and insisted upon, as the conditions of peace, the only consideration…
A people may err by too long neglecting such means, and shamefully suffer the sword to rust in its scabbard when it ought to be employed in defending their liberty. The most grasping and oppressive power will commonly le…
It is only defensive war that can be justified in the sight of God. When no injury is offered us, we have no right to molest others. And Christian meekness, patience and forbearance, are duties that ought to be practiced…
And whatever share men enjoy of this liberty, we may properly say in the words of the text, that Christ has made them free with it, since after his resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of the Majesty on high, al…
Should therefore the legislature of a state make laws requiring the subjects to do things immoral, and which they knew to be so, such, for instance, as were apparently destructive of public happiness, though it was in co…
There are some natural liberties or rights which no person can divest himself of, without transgressing the law of nature. A man cannot, for instance, give up the liberty of private judgment in matters of religion, or co…
In a state of nature, or where men are under no civil government, God has given to every one liberty to pursue his own happiness in whatever way, and by whatever means he pleases, without asking the consent or consulting…
But though the words originally refer to that freedom from the Jewish law which the gospel confers on the church of God, yet the reason of the inference holds good in the case of any other real and valuable liberty which…
There was never great misery, destruction, plague, or visitation of God, that came on any nation, city, or country, which as they be indeed, so may they justly be called wounds, but be sent of God for sin, and be not sud…
Therefore men ought not to give credit to fair words, large promises, and great oaths (for these are the instruments to deceive the honest and well meaning) but the fairer the oaths, the more to suspect. For godly and ho…
Deceit would not be knocked out with deceit, if it might so be, but honest men should always and at all times deal plainly and honestly. And therefore the most honest means before things be done, is to be wise and circum…
And where this justice is not executed, but the prince and the people play together, and one winks and bears with the other's faults, there cannot be, but a most corrupt, ungodly, and vicious state, which although it pro…
Good kings, governors, and states in time past took it to be the greatest honor that could be, not to take cities and realms to their own use (when they were called to aid and relieve the oppressed) as princes do nowaday…
For it is no private law to a few or certain people, but common to all: not written in books, but grafted in the hearts of men: not made by man, but ordained of God: which we have not learned, received or read, but have…
As God has ordained magistrates to hear and determine private men's matters, and to punish their vices: so also will he, that the magistrate's doings be called into account and reckoning, and their vices corrected and pu…
But the evil governors and rulers will have all that their subjects have, common to themselves, but they themselves will depart with nothing, but where they ought not: no, not so much as pay for those things, that in wor…
For by the Fall, and ever after the Fall, this corruptible flesh of man is clogged with sin, and shall never be rid of sin, as long as it is in this corrupt world, but shall be always disposed and prone to do that which…
God will have His tried by persecution, that the world may see, who love the chief power, more than the inferior powers: His commandments, more than man's fond proceedings: the soul, more than the flesh: the sure and eve…
It is a worthy saying for the majesty of him that is in authority to confess that the prince is subject to the laws; the authority of the prince depends so much on the authority of the laws. And certainly it is more hono…
He is a good citizen that does not do evil (so said a noble wise man) but he is better who does not allow others to hurt or do injustice to the innocent. For the blood of the innocent shall be demanded not only from thos…
Neither pope, Emperor, nor king may do anything to hurt his people without their consent.
For princes are ordained to do good, not to do evil: to take away evil, not to increase it: to give example of well doing, not to be the procurers of evil: to procure the wealth and benefit of their subjects, and not to…
For before magistrates were, God's laws were. Neither can it be proved that by God's word they have any authority to dispense or break them: but that they are still commanded to do right, to minister justice, and not to…
See what you do, for you execute not the judgment of man, but of God. And whatever you judge, it shall be rebounded to yourselves. Let the fear of God be before your eyes, and do all things with diligence. For with the L…
Wherefore it shall be the part of all Christian men to take heed, that in forsaking God, they bring by injustice the devil and tyrants to reign over them. And those that be called to councils and parliaments (and so be m…
And because this authority and power, both to make laws, and execute laws, proceeds from God, the Holy Ghost in Scripture calls them gods: not that they be naturally gods, or that they be transubstantiated into gods (for…
For He that gave man authority over the body and life of man, because He would have man to live quietly with man, that all might serve Him quietly in holiness and righteousness all the days of his life, it cannot be deni…
He that sheds the blood of man, his blood shall also be shed by man. For man is made in the image of God. By this ordinance and law He instituted political power and gave authority to men to make more laws.
And on the other side, where the nobility and people look diligently and earnestly upon their authorities, and do see the same executed on their heads and governors, making them to yield account of their doings: then wit…
If a prince robs and spoils his subjects, it is theft, and as a thief ought to be punished. If he kills and murders them contrary or without the laws of his country, it is murder, and a murderer he ought to be punished.…
Kings, princes, and other governors, although they are the heads of a political body, yet they are not the whole body. And though they be the chief members, yet they are but members: no other are the people ordained for…
As there is no better nor happier commonwealth nor no greater blessing of God, than where one rules, if he is a good, just, and godly man: so there is no worse nor none more miserable, nor greater plague of God, than whe…
50 quotes
Our ancestors understood it, because they had studied it, with all the earnestness of persecuted men, who had to contend with sword and pen. We hold their correct theory; but, it is to be feared, only by prescription and…
What I have tried to demonstrate is that the principle of unbelief — the sovereignty of Reason and the sovereignty of the People — while it proclaims Liberty, must end in either radicalism or despotism: in the disintegra…
Between the freedom of the Christian man, on behalf of which Luther entered the lists, and the liberty, equality, fraternity, which the Revolution inscribed on its banner, the difference is fundamental. Luther and Voltai…
The Bible, to the Christian is not a burdensome law, but the very Magna Charta of Christian liberty.
It is further to be considered, that the general practice of religion and virtue is of great importance to their happiness… And God having in the constitution of nature made religion and virtue conducive, and even necess…
They must be such as fear God. The fear of God, in the language of scripture, does not intend a slavish, superstitious dread, as of an almighty, arbitrary and cruel Being; but that just reverence and awe of him, which na…
The business of rulers in general. And this is, to promote and secure the happiness of the whole community. For this end only they are invested with power, and only for this end it ought to be employed. The apostle tells…
The magistrate is properly the trustee of the people: He can have no just power but what he receives from them. To them he ought to be accountable for the use he makes of this power. But if a man may be invested with the…
No man is born a magistrate, or with a right to rule over his brethren. If this were the case, there must be some natural mark by which it might be known to whom this right belongs, or it could answer no end: But no man…
To conclude: This whole assembly will bear in mind, that there is another and more valuable kind of liberty, than that to which the foregoing discourse more immediately relates… a liberty, which consists in being free fr…
Once more, from a regard to religion men are obliged to defend their liberty against encroachments, though the attack should not immediately affect religion. Slavery exposes to many temptations to vice, and by debasing a…
But further; a regard to the happiness of mankind in general, makes it a duty to resist great injuries. Yielding to the unjust demands of bad men, not only lessens our power of doing good, but encourages them to repeat t…
Heaven has made us their guardians, and entrusted to our care their liberty, honour, and happiness: For when they come upon the stage, they will be deeply affected by the transactions of their fathers, especially by thei…
Once more, it is necessary for a people who would preserve their liberty, to maintain the general practice of religion and virtue. This will tend to make them courageous: The truest fortitude is ever to be found where th…
Indeed without any enemy from abroad, the general prevalence of a licentious spirit may as effectively destroy the liberty of a people, as the most despotic government, for civil liberty is something as really different…
They should endeavor to be united and at peace among themselves. The strength of a society, as well as its honour and happiness, depends much upon its union. Our Saviour's maxim is founded in reason, and has been confirm…
War, though a great evil, is ever preferable to such concessions, as are likely to be fatal to public liberty. And when such concessions, are required and insisted upon, as the conditions of peace, the only consideration…
A people may err by too long neglecting such means, and shamefully suffer the sword to rust in its scabbard when it ought to be employed in defending their liberty. The most grasping and oppressive power will commonly le…
It is only defensive war that can be justified in the sight of God. When no injury is offered us, we have no right to molest others. And Christian meekness, patience and forbearance, are duties that ought to be practiced…
And whatever share men enjoy of this liberty, we may properly say in the words of the text, that Christ has made them free with it, since after his resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of the Majesty on high, al…
Should therefore the legislature of a state make laws requiring the subjects to do things immoral, and which they knew to be so, such, for instance, as were apparently destructive of public happiness, though it was in co…
There are some natural liberties or rights which no person can divest himself of, without transgressing the law of nature. A man cannot, for instance, give up the liberty of private judgment in matters of religion, or co…
In a state of nature, or where men are under no civil government, God has given to every one liberty to pursue his own happiness in whatever way, and by whatever means he pleases, without asking the consent or consulting…
But though the words originally refer to that freedom from the Jewish law which the gospel confers on the church of God, yet the reason of the inference holds good in the case of any other real and valuable liberty which…
There was never great misery, destruction, plague, or visitation of God, that came on any nation, city, or country, which as they be indeed, so may they justly be called wounds, but be sent of God for sin, and be not sud…
Therefore men ought not to give credit to fair words, large promises, and great oaths (for these are the instruments to deceive the honest and well meaning) but the fairer the oaths, the more to suspect. For godly and ho…
Deceit would not be knocked out with deceit, if it might so be, but honest men should always and at all times deal plainly and honestly. And therefore the most honest means before things be done, is to be wise and circum…
And where this justice is not executed, but the prince and the people play together, and one winks and bears with the other's faults, there cannot be, but a most corrupt, ungodly, and vicious state, which although it pro…
Good kings, governors, and states in time past took it to be the greatest honor that could be, not to take cities and realms to their own use (when they were called to aid and relieve the oppressed) as princes do nowaday…
For it is no private law to a few or certain people, but common to all: not written in books, but grafted in the hearts of men: not made by man, but ordained of God: which we have not learned, received or read, but have…
As God has ordained magistrates to hear and determine private men's matters, and to punish their vices: so also will he, that the magistrate's doings be called into account and reckoning, and their vices corrected and pu…
But the evil governors and rulers will have all that their subjects have, common to themselves, but they themselves will depart with nothing, but where they ought not: no, not so much as pay for those things, that in wor…
For by the Fall, and ever after the Fall, this corruptible flesh of man is clogged with sin, and shall never be rid of sin, as long as it is in this corrupt world, but shall be always disposed and prone to do that which…
God will have His tried by persecution, that the world may see, who love the chief power, more than the inferior powers: His commandments, more than man's fond proceedings: the soul, more than the flesh: the sure and eve…
It is a worthy saying for the majesty of him that is in authority to confess that the prince is subject to the laws; the authority of the prince depends so much on the authority of the laws. And certainly it is more hono…
He is a good citizen that does not do evil (so said a noble wise man) but he is better who does not allow others to hurt or do injustice to the innocent. For the blood of the innocent shall be demanded not only from thos…
Neither pope, Emperor, nor king may do anything to hurt his people without their consent.
For princes are ordained to do good, not to do evil: to take away evil, not to increase it: to give example of well doing, not to be the procurers of evil: to procure the wealth and benefit of their subjects, and not to…
For before magistrates were, God's laws were. Neither can it be proved that by God's word they have any authority to dispense or break them: but that they are still commanded to do right, to minister justice, and not to…
See what you do, for you execute not the judgment of man, but of God. And whatever you judge, it shall be rebounded to yourselves. Let the fear of God be before your eyes, and do all things with diligence. For with the L…
Wherefore it shall be the part of all Christian men to take heed, that in forsaking God, they bring by injustice the devil and tyrants to reign over them. And those that be called to councils and parliaments (and so be m…
And because this authority and power, both to make laws, and execute laws, proceeds from God, the Holy Ghost in Scripture calls them gods: not that they be naturally gods, or that they be transubstantiated into gods (for…
For He that gave man authority over the body and life of man, because He would have man to live quietly with man, that all might serve Him quietly in holiness and righteousness all the days of his life, it cannot be deni…
He that sheds the blood of man, his blood shall also be shed by man. For man is made in the image of God. By this ordinance and law He instituted political power and gave authority to men to make more laws.
And on the other side, where the nobility and people look diligently and earnestly upon their authorities, and do see the same executed on their heads and governors, making them to yield account of their doings: then wit…
If a prince robs and spoils his subjects, it is theft, and as a thief ought to be punished. If he kills and murders them contrary or without the laws of his country, it is murder, and a murderer he ought to be punished.…
Kings, princes, and other governors, although they are the heads of a political body, yet they are not the whole body. And though they be the chief members, yet they are but members: no other are the people ordained for…
As there is no better nor happier commonwealth nor no greater blessing of God, than where one rules, if he is a good, just, and godly man: so there is no worse nor none more miserable, nor greater plague of God, than whe…